The latest figures show that the air cargo market is beginning to cool after a brisk start to the year caused by the Red Sea crisis and pre-Lunar New Year (LNY) rush. Figures from analyst WorldACD show that in week six, tonnages out of China declined by 2% compared with the previous week while imports were down 15%. This slowdown follows a “recent surge” in cargo volumes out of China as shippers “rushed to get goods shipped before the LNY holiday”. And WorldACD expects both inbound and outbound tonnages to fall further this week. Looking at the last two weeks, volumes also showed signs of a slowdown with global demand dropping by 3% compared with the preceding two weeks. “The 3% worldwide tonnage decline was largely driven by a 7% drop in tonnages from Asia Pacific origins – which, in turn, was mainly generated by a 17% fall in intra-Asia Pacific traffic, with the intra-Asia Pacific market apparently responding more quickly than the main long-haul markets to the arrival of the LNY holiday period,” WorldACD said. The analyst has also consistently pointed out over recent weeks that it is hard to gauge the underlying strength of the air cargo market during the first two months of the year due to the movement of the LNY holiday. Last year, the two-week break took place on January 22 while this year it started on February 10.

Industry faced various logistical hurdles during pandemic but improved communication networks, adaptable supply chain approaches, and use of data analytics facilitated supply chain, said, Dr. Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, DPIIT in a recently concluded PHDCCI summit on Medical Devices, Pharma and Healthcare with the theme – ‘Empowering Atmanirbhar Bharat: A Logistics Odyssey.’ The summit aimed to bring together industry experts, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss advancements, challenges, and opportunities in the medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare sectors, fostering collaboration and innovation for the betterment of healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. N Sivasailam, Former Secretary, DPIIT highlighted that amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, logistical hurdles included supply chain disruptions, transportation limitations, and heightened demand for specific medical supplies. Nonetheless, there were notable successes, including swift adoption of new technologies, collective problem-solving, and the rise of inventive solutions to ensure the prompt delivery of critical goods and services. The summit offered a diverse range of thematic sessions, attracting an *impressive participation of over 30+ speakers, 10+ exhibitors, and 150+ delegates.* The summit in the *Technical Sessions* covered subjects such as : •Bringing the Pharma Supply Chain into the New Era alignment with Atma-Nirbhar Bharat •Combating Counterfeiting in the Pharma and Medical Devices Supply Chain •Innovative Cold Chain Solutions for Medical Devices Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare •Last-mile delivery and Patient-Centric Supply Chains •Data-Driven Procurement and Sourcing: Leveraging Analytics for Informed Decision-Making The summit in the *Fireside Chat Sessions* covered subjects such as : •Quality Assurance in Pharma and Medical Devices – Then – Now – Way Forward •Insights into the logistical challenges and triumphs experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic The summit *concluded* with a resounding call for continued collaboration, innovation, and commitment towards advancing …

Industry leaders like Ravi Prakash Mathur from Dr. Reddys Laboratories and Christopher J. Storch, Global Head of Sales at va-Q-tec, introduced Thermal Coat – a game-changer in temperature-controlled supply chains for pharmaceutical air and sea freight, during recently concluded Air Cargo India show in Mumbai. Thermal Coat boasts unique va-Q-gel technology, revolutionizing the transport of temperature-sensitive goods. With its unique composition and leak-proof design, it offers unparalleled performance, ensuring the safety and integrity of cargo even in the most challenging conditions. In air freight applications, Thermal Coat extends buffer times, enhancing product safety and reliability. Plus, its innovative phase-change material eliminates the need for liquid substances, making it lightweight and highly efficient. But that’s not all! For the first time, we’re extending our expertise to sea freight, providing a solution that triples the time buffer and significantly boosts product safety during long transport routes. This launch marks a significant milestone in our commitment to innovation and excellence in temperature-controlled logistics. We’re thrilled to bring Thermal Coat to the market, empowering our partners with unmatched reliability and performance!

The UPS India Technology Centres and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support skill development for India’s diverse talent pool. The MoU was signed in the presence of Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. According to the India Skills Report, only 49% of Indian youth meet employability standards, highlighting the critical need for initiatives to close the education-employment gap. India’s goal of becoming a US $5 trillion economy is a collaborative effort that will unlock opportunities for India’s workforce. Industry ready technology skills can help meet this goal by preparing India’s youth for local and global opportunities. The UPS India Technology Centres and NSDC will provide skilling programs and initiatives focused on technology, logistics, and supply chain management, including: Community bootcamps, workshops, career counselling, technical training, management and soft skills training, aimed to prepare India’s next generation workforce. Continue to work with similar youth initiatives such as the Tamil Nadu government’s skill development program – ‘Naan Mudhalvan’. “UPS is excited to support the government’s aim to skill our youth with speed and high standards to achieve its vision of a ‘Skilled India’. We are grateful for the support from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the NSDC. Through our partnership with the NSDC, UPS and the UPS India Technology Centres are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable world that empowers local talent from diverse background and shine a spotlight on the vast potential of India’s talent pool.” said Dr. Subramani Ramakrishnan, Vice President, UPS India Technology Centre.

SriLankan Cargo and cargo.one unveiled a global partnership to bring the Sri Lankan national carrier’s cargo capacity to the platform for digital air cargo bookings. Comprising its very first digital sales channel for air cargo, cargo.one will soon deliver its user-friendly and efficient booking platform for all SriLankan Cargo’s global offers, says a release from cargo.one. “The addition of SriLankan Cargo services further adds to cargo.one’s renowned depth and diversity of supply options. The deal reflects cargo.one’s ability to deliver airlines a first class digital sales channel with a broad and competitive presence in all relevant markets.” SriLankan Cargo will provide freight forwarders using cargo.one with connectivity to a global network of 37 destinations in 21 countries across Europe, Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Far East and Australia, the release added. The airline leverages its direct flights to key hubs in Europe as well as particularly strong capacity options to India and the Gulf region. With its road and partner networks, SriLankan Cargo further expands its reach to serve over 200 destinations worldwide, the release added Chaminda Perera, Head of Cargo, SriLankan Cargo says: “Our digital sales progression is now a key driver of our growth, and cargo.one is a logical expert to expedite our transition. We can have total confidence that every SriLankan Cargo customer will enjoy a top-class digital experience. It is excellent to see that our teams are already kick-starting smart initiatives to maximise our market opportunities.” Moritz Claussen, Founder and Co-CEO , cargo.one adds: “We are proud to play an important role in fueling the exciting growth of SriLankan Cargo, our first South Asian carrier. By entering the digital market strongly with a world …

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, recorded the highest volumes of pharmaceuticals transported in its history with a 37 percent increase in shipments in 2023 compared to 2022. The carrier also transported 10 percent more fresh and perishable shipments, making 2023 the third consecutive year that Etihad Cargo has achieved growth for both products despite challenging market conditions, says an official release. “This milestone achievement reflects Etihad Cargo’s unwavering commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical and perishables logistics, reinforcing its position as a leading global air cargo operator.” Contributing to the increase in cool chain volumes transported by Etihad Cargo in 2023 was the opening of the carrier’s dedicated pharma hub, which has doubled its cool chain storage and handling capacity, the release added. “The 3,300 square metre facility comprises the latest technology and features including RFS loading docks with levellers, insulation and floor work for faster and more efficient loading with stricter temperature controls, increased storage space, additional build-up and breakdown zones for improved production workflows and upgraded cool chain facilities for our pharma handling and storage operations. Since launching the new pharmaceutical centre in July 2023, Etihad Cargo immediately achieved an increase in pharmaceutical volumes, recording a 39 percent increase in July, a 40 percent increase in August and a 41 percent increase in September.”

DP World today unveiled plans for Bharat Mart, a Dubai marketplace set to open in 2026 that will offer a world-class trading platform for Indian manufacturers and exporters to access global markets. HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, also attended the ceremony. S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India; Ajit Doval KC, National Security Advisor of India; Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India; Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE; Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, and members of DP World’s senior leadership team. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World, said: “By laying the foundations for Bharat Mart, we are paving the way for stronger trade ties between the UAE and India. Our nations have set themselves the target of reaching $100 billion in non-oil bilateral trade by 2030, and Bharat Mart will support this goal, creating more opportunities for Indian manufacturers and contributing to government initiatives like Make in India and D33. With our world-class infrastructure, logistics capabilities and business-friendly ecosystem in Jafza, Bharat Mart will be the ideal gateway for Indian goods to efficiently reach the UAE and other high-growth markets in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.”

The Warehousing Association of India (WAI) collaborated with Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon to organise an event titled Industry-Academic Interface Conference on Logistics and Warehousing. The experts from the sector participated in panel discussions. The first panel was centered around Warehousing Standards, Modernization, and Automation as well as challenges both in infrastructure and policy regulations. The second panel discussion was focused on skilling and gender diversity in the logistics and warehousing sectors. The event, organised at the campus premises saw the warehousing experts from across the country providing industry insights to the students and encouraging them to participate. The key note address was given by Manu Raj Bhalla, President, WAI, he said, “We are looking forward to more such collaborations with academic institutions countrywide. The idea is to increase awareness and encourage students to enter this field as it offers a lot of scope and opportunities, logistics being the backbone of the economy. We had invited industry experts to this event to share the industry insights with the students. The industry is growing at a CAGR of approx 20% and there is a huge deficit of skilled work force across job roles and levels. With Govt’s highly ambitious plans in place like Gati Shakti, National Logistics Policy, Sagarmala etc., there is and will be the need of well trained workforce. Diversity and inclusion of women in warehousing and logistics is one of key goals of WAI and they are working closely with industry, Government and Non-Govt Stakeholders. The conference explored opportunities for greater collaboration between academia and Industry. In conclusion both Great Lakes and WAI have agreed to work closely on joint projects and hold more such conferences to …

Delhi Cargo Service Center (DCSC) has recorded a surge in cargo shipment handling and cargo throughput since the beginning of 2024, indicating highest levels of efficiency, reliability and seamless operations. Avinash Razdan, Group CEO, Cargo Service Center informs, “Till January this year we were handling an average of around 600 tonnes of export and import cargo a day. Since beginning of February this year we have been consistently handling an average volume of 800 tonnes of cargo a day. We even touched 900 tonnes on 12th. Till January this year we used to screen 16,000 – 17,000 pieces per day. During February this year we have consistently been screening 28,000-29,000 pieces of cargo a day. This would not have been possible without our resources in place and more importantly without our determination in our minds. We are proud of our people.”

In a significant move towards advancing green energy initiatives, Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has signed MoU with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), to establish an Integrated Green Hydrogen Plant and a fuelling station within the premises of Kochi Airport, further reinforcing BPCL’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions. This visionary collaboration leverages BPCL’s technological expertise to establish India’s first Integrated Green Hydrogen Plant and a fuelling station within the airport setting. The MOU outlines plans for a 1,000 KW project at Kochi Airport, scheduled to be completed in 2025. Green hydrogen, a future fuel produced from water using renewable energy sources, aligns seamlessly with BPCL’s Net Zero aspirations of eliminating emissions in scope 1 and 2. The MOU signing ceremony took place at the Legislative Complex in Thiruvananthapuram, with the distinguished presence of Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala and Chairman of CIAL alongwith Shri P. Rajeeve, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Dr. V. Venu IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala, Shri G. Krishnakumar, Chairman & Managing Director, BPCL and other senior officials from both BPCL and CIAL. Shri G. Krishnakumar, C&MD, BPCL, highlighted “The collaboration today is a pivotal moment in the journey towards sustainable energy solutions. At BPCL, we are committed to India’s energy independence, strengthening the ambitious initiatives of ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local’.” Under the agreement, BPCL will oversee the establishment of the integrated Green Hydrogen plant and fuelling station at Kochi Airport, providing technology and managing operations. The initial plant output will be harnessed to power vehicles within the airport.